It has never been documented where and how the present Ayam Serama was originated.

By heresay information, Ayam Serama  originated from Kelantan. The present Serama is a mixture of close in-breeding of many varieties of small exotic birds, most probably, local Katik, local Jungle Fowl, Bantam and others. After a series of experiments and many trials and errors, the not so refined Original Ayam Serama was produced.

This original Ayam Serama, of which some are still available in our farm, are direct ancestors  to the present stock. With careful and painstaking cross breeding, the present refined Ayam Serama was achieved.

It seems that the present trend is that "the smaller the better" and breeders are further improving them; besides the small size, are the characters, structure and overall physical beauty.

Today's Ayam Serama and its commercial values

Today's Ayam Serama is a proud progeny of various birds in general and cross-breeding of mainly the jungle fowl, Thai's miniature hen, Bantam etc.

Their physical  beauty have charmed all levels of people. It is easy and extremely cheap to maintain. It has brought numerous joys, happiness and fond memories to its owner.

It has been said that no amount of money can be exchanged for this priceless possession of this bird. The story once goes that an Ayam Serama owner was offered with a blank cheque to sell his bird, but the owner turned the offer down. A champion blood-line young chick can demand a sum from RM1,000 to RM2,000 and an upcoming young adult could be between RM2,000 to RM10,000 nowadays.

A real champion would be offered from RM10,000 to RM80,000 by enthusiast. There is no price range. Prices depend on willing buyer and willing seller negotiation.

It has been proven to be an excellent family pet for everybody in the family.

The general weight categories of a healthy Ayam Serama are:

Grade 3A - below 250gm
Grade 1A - below 350gm
Grade B - below 500gm

Please do not mistake it with other breeds ie.for Ayam Kapan, Ayam Katik or others.

However, prices were associated with the weight categories. This is because the smaller the bird, the more difficult to breed. Thus, fewer in number. So, the price increase makes up the difference.

We reckon that in time to come and with the implication of modern R & D breeding method by corporate and government support, the Ayam Serama future would be very bright and interesting.

We truly look forward that the natural beauty of this majestic Ayam Serama would further be enhanced and make available and affordable by everyone in the street. The potential of being the most well received and adorable domestic pet at every Malaysian home is good.

Management
a. Young chicks - Days 1,2 & 3

Newly hatched chick can survive without food and water for the next 3 days. Chicks, which are hatched from incubators, are left as it is for 48 hours till its feathers are drier. They are then transferred to a specially made wooden box equipped with heat source (usually an electrical bulb of 15 watts) and other accessories.

b. Young chicks - Days 4-90

The wooden box can maintain a chick from days 3 to days 90. The following are necessary for the maximum survival rate:-

i. 24 hours heat source
Maintain a 24 hours electrical bulb heat source with a 10 to 15 watts bulb. Hang the bulb 2" above the chicks. This height is necessary to avoid direct light rays on the young chicks' tender eyes, which can cause unnecessary stress and other problems. The heat source is normally in one corner of the box.

ii. Flooring
Cover the box floor with 3-4 layers of old newspapers. During your daily cleaning, just roll over the top soiled layer. The under layers are normally clean and can last for another day.

Do not use hard and slippery paper which may damage the feet of the young chicks. Use only soft and rough surface papers.

iii. Food and water cups
Food and water cups can be homemade. Use discarded square mineral pastic bottles of 0.5 liter size (500ml).

Food and water cups should not be placed directly under the heat source. The cups should normally be at the center of the box, next to each other.

A commercially available food and water cup at the pet shops can be modified to suit height and growth of the chicks.

iv. General cleanliness
Generally, the cleaner the environment the healthier the chicks. Keep the box as clean as possible. Daily disposal of droppings and newspapers is a must. Water cups should be washed every 2 days to avoid accumulation of infected by-products and droppings. Water must be replaced everyday. Feed should also be replaced everyday.

v. Construction of wooden box
Generally the construction of the wooden box is homemade of plywood and timber completed with heat source and other accessories.

It is a good idea to compartmentalize the heat source. This is to conserve and confine the heat to only a corner area and leave the other areas free and cool so that the chicks can have an option to be near the heat area or otherwise when they grow older.

A simple method to compartmentalize the heat source is by using a paper box of 8"x8"x8" with two sides cut to the shape of a door (big enough for your hand to go in) and hanged onto the socket of the bulb.

Provide a small stick of not bigger than 1/2" diagonally across the box. As your chicks grow older, they may need to stand on the stick for a good night or an alternative comfortable resting place. It also helps to develop strong proper feet with the good grip of the stick.

The wooden box's door should be made of strong grille and with mosquito netting to protect from intruders like cats, rats or other reptiles from entering during the night.

This wooden box must be placed indoors. Select a place where you can have fresh and good ventilation but away from direct sunlight and rain.

Sun and sand-bathing

When your Serama chick is about 1½ months old and above, you may sun and sand bathe them. This helps to relax the chicks and the sun's rays would kill some of the bacteria under the feathers. It also stimulates other healthy growth of its natural habits.

Other useful information

As the chicks grow older and bigger, it may be necessary to upgrade the following accessories accordingly. Gradual replacement and upgrading of some of the young chicks usual facilities to adult would be necessary after 2½ months onwards.

Heat source Change the electrical bulb from 15 watts to 10 watts. This is because as the chicks grow older and with more feathers, the feathers helps to maintain and regulate an ideal comfortable body temperature. When the Serama is between 2½  - 3 months old and with full feathers, the heat source is only required during the night and certain rainy days. Frequent and careful monitoring of heat source is important for the comfort of your beloved Serama.

Food and water cups As your Serama chicks grow bigger, it is necessary to change the food and water cups to a bigger size to suit its height and habit of feeding. Careful obesrvation of its eating habit would determine the best size for them.

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